Hip-hop culture is exciting and vibrant; however, tragedy can strike anytime and take a beloved artist too soon. The artists who died in 2021, such as Young Dolph, Drakeo the Ruler, DMX, Shock G, and more, will always be remembered for their talent, music, and cultural impact, as well as their untimely departures. Respect My Region pays tribute to the iconic members of the hip-hop community that the world lost in 2021.
Rappers That Died in 2021
Young Dolph
One of the most passionate hip-hop artists, Young Dolph, released numerous albums and singles, including his collaboration project with OT Genasis, Cut It, and Major, which reached the U.S. Billboard Chart. In 2015, the successful music producer founded Paper Route Empire, a record label. Paper Route Empire significantly impacted the hip-hop industry, featuring artists like Jay Fizzle, SNUPE BANDZ, and many more. After Young Dolph’s tragic death, the record label was announced a tribute project in honor of the influential artist.
Young Dolph died on November 17th, after being shot at Makeda’s Homemade Cookies, one of the favorite hangouts in his native Memphis. The murder happened just a few days before the rapper had planned to hand out turkeys at St. James Missionary Baptist Church for Thanksgiving. The city of Memphis knew him well for giving spirit and charitable work to the community.
Drakeo the Ruler
Drakeo the Ruler, known for his unique language and word flow, is a critically acclaimed West Coast artist. Although only launching his career in 2016, the rapper released an impressive repertoire of albums and singles. His most notable projects included Inpatient Freestyle, Flu Flamming, and the most recent one, Talk to Me. The rapper co-produced the track with Drake, and released it as part of his latest 2021 album, The Truth Hurts.
Drakeo The Ruler died in December 2021 after being stabbed backstage at Snoop Dogg’s Once Upon a Time In LA music festival. The 28-year-old rapper got into an altercation with a group of gang members allegedly linked to Compton rapper YG and the dispute ended tragically. Below is Drakeo The Ruler’s last performance at Rolling Loud music festival in Los Angeles, December 2021.
DMX
Earl Simmons, commonly known as DMX, started his music career with the 1998 album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot. This debut project earned him a deserving spot in the hip-hop hierarchy, selling a quarter-million copies in its first week of release. However, besides producing music, DMX also paved the way in the hip-hop industry for numerous young talents.
After founding the Bloodline Records label, the music producer started featuring young artists like Yung Berg, Loose Cannon, and Jinx. With his music, DMX had a significant impact on hip-hop culture by focusing on societal hardships and inspiring his fans to never give up, despite life’s difficulties.
In April 2021, the media announced shocking news; DMX, the legendary rapper, actor, and producer died of a drug overdose. The artist fell into a coma after a cocaine-induced heart attack and died in a New York hospital at the age of 50.
Biz Markie
Biz Markie was an American hip-hop culture pioneer, a successful rapper, talented DJ, and creative record producer recognized worldwide. He first gained popularity for being a founding member of American hip-hop culture within the legendary gang Juice Crew. However, in the late 1980s, the rapper started his own career, releasing solo projects.
Besides other successful projects, his 1989 track Just a Friend became incredibly popular and established him as an independent artist. The catchy tune swiftly became a club party hit and soon was adopted by TV ads and showstoppers. Additionally, in 2008, VH1 included Just a Friend to its 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time list.
In the last decade of his life, he used his rap talent to educate children through his shows as a radio DJ and TV broadcaster. Unfortunately, Biz Markie tragically died in Baltimore July 2021 at the age of 57 due to complications brought on by diabetes, which he struggled with since 2010.
Slim 400
After being spotted by YG, who quickly added the talented rapper to his squad, Slim 400’s music career started rapidly developing. The 33-year-old rapper promptly justified the producer’s faith by becoming one of the leading artists on YG’s record label 4Hunnid Records.
Besides the numerous albums he released, the artist also co-starred with YG in Blame It on the Streets and toured the country with hip-hop icons like J. Cole and Yo Gotti
Some of the artist’s most popular songs include “Piru” ft. YG & Redroom187, “Goapele” ft. YG, and “Straight up Bompton”. However, Slim 400’s wide recognition started after releasing his hit track “Bruisin,” produced with YG and Sad Boy Loko.
Slim 400 was shot and killed in Los Angeles in December 2021. Two years before that, the artist survived being shot nine times on a visit to his hometown of Compton. Although the investigation is ongoing, the rapper’s death is believed to be a case of gang payback.
Black Rob
Black Rob was another hip-hop pioneer, and a prominent figure in the culture, best known for his 2000 Life Story album smash hit “Whoa!”, which reached the Billboard Hot 100 quickly after release. He continued to record multiple successful albums and singles, including Game Tested and Streets Approved, which led the rapper to more Billboard chart appearances.
This led Black Rob to collaborate with legends such as Notorious B.I.G., P. Diddy, Ma$e, G. Dep, and others throughout his musical career. In 2010, he left Bad Boy Records and in five years released his fourth and final album, Genuine Article. However, in 2016, the legendary rapper rejoined with the Bad Boy team for a Family Reunion Tour.
The April 2021 news about one of the Bad Boy Records artists, Black Rob, shocked the entire hip-hop music world. The rapper reportedly was under financial stress when he died of a heart-related event. Soon the public tangentially implicated the Bad Boy Records’ owner Sean “Diddy” Combs in the artist’s death due to the label’s ongoing dispute with the artist. Still, Combs later paid tribute to the great artist by fully supporting his funeral.
Shock G
Gregory Edward Jacobs, better known by his stage name Shock G, started his music career in the 1980s as a part of the Digital Underground hip-hop group. He participated in the creation of successful albums: Sex Packets and The Body-Hat Syndrome and breakout hits such as Doowutchyalike and The Humpty Dance.
An important move in his career was debuting future hip-hop icon, Tupac Shakur, on the Digital Underground’s Same Song. Three years later, in 1993, Tupac invited Shock G to work on his I Get Around song. Not only does Shock G’s legacy live in the music he created, but also in his distinct sense to identify young talent.
Shock G was a hip-hop artist and pioneer of the culture. The talented rapper died in his hotel room in Tampa in April 2021 from accidental fentanyl, methamphetamine, and ethanol overdose at the age of 57.
